I had an abusive childhood and here is but one week of my first 19 years.

As I finished off my meal
Him, at the head of the table
Him, with the feral grin
Him, with the hard eyes
Asked if I had my home work done
I said yes, forgetting the question undone
There was another question from him
Another answer from me
You Lie, he roared, hitting the table
To the basement with you
I will beat that lying tongue
From your body yet

I was given no time to hide my disgrace
I was ordered back to the kitchen
The dishes I must do
As I came up the stairs a snicker I did hear
A younger one thought it was funny to see me cry

The next night the same question was asked
I answered truthfully I had forgotten
There was one question I could not understand
I have asked my cousin about it
Again I heard you dare to lie to me
I had forgotten it last night now the question is done
As I could not see that I’d told an untruth
I had forgotten that the question was left undone
That fist hit the table with such a blow
The pitchers of water and milk started to dance
You will not talk back to me
You lying bitch I’ll teach you not to lie to me
Get to the basement I will beat that lying tongue from you

For a week this same scene was played
To the joy of the younger ones
I wondered how he could judge me so
When every action of his was a lie and a sneak
I would ask why and I was told
You deserved it do as you are told
You will be made like the rest
BE submissive
Learn, he teaches you the truth
I thought if he teaches the truth
With that tongue of his
Then his actions lie
For he ever said one thing
And did the opposite
And so did my teenage years start